Motherhood, Womanhood, and Anywhere In-Between

Paper Summary:

This persuasive paper presents a clear examination of womanhood and motherhood in terms of African women's struggle and a detailed observation, analysis, and definition of victimology as a basis for these struggles. The paper covers detailed comparisons of the main characters in three novels, "So Long a Letter" and "Scarlet Song" by Mariama Ba and "The Joys of Motherhood" by Buchi Emecheta. The paper explores the victimization of these characters by way of societal, traditional, patriarchal, and cultural means. Also, deeply rooted problems with colonization and polygamy are discussed as stepping-stones towards these characters' victimization.

From the Paper:

"Tradition acts as victimizer to Nnu Ego, in her childlessness. After her first child's death, she is considered a failed woman and failed mother. She cannot escape tradition, nor can she escape her expectations. These two things bind her in such a way that she will never be a complete woman, nor have a joyous motherhood, because her constant failure to gain expectations that are presented by the tradition she imbibes. She only questions her tradition once in the novel, on page 187, where she asks, "Who made the law that we should not hope in our daughters? Until we change all this, it is still a man's world, which women will always help to build." This statement encompasses Emecheta's belief in the problems with womanhood and motherhood, and establishes a clear hope for change."

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